Press Releases

Providence, RI - Governor Lincoln D. Chafee announced today that the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training (DLT) has received an additional $500,000 National Emergency Grant (NEG) from the U.S. Department of Labor. The funding will assist state departments and agencies with the continuation of clean-up and recovery efforts resulting from Hurricane Sandy.

"As Rhode Island continues to repair the infrastructure and environmental damage sustained during Hurricane Sandy, these federal funds will bring the dual benefit of aiding clean-up efforts and getting Rhode Islanders back to work," Governor Chafee said. "Throughout this process, the Obama Administration has been diligent in awarding federal funds to support Rhode Island's recovery and put our people to work in programs that benefit all Rhode Islanders. I thank President Obama and Acting Labor Secretary Harris for their support of our state."

The NEG incremental funding of $500,000 will allow for an increase in the number of planned participants in clean-up and recovery programs in Bristol, Kent, Newport, and Washington Counties from 75 to 100. The target group of workers includes those dislocated as a result of the effects of Hurricane Sandy, the long-term unemployed, and other eligible dislocated workers, in particular, unemployed veterans.

DLT has worked in close collaboration with the Department of Environmental Management (DEM) to identify work sites for the NEG initiative. The additional funding will enable the state to complete clean-up work in major beach areas and state campgrounds and to begin to address additional identified areas. Earlier this year, NEG work began at Scarborough State Beach, East Matunuck State Beach, Roger Wheeler State Beach, Salty Brine State Beach, Fisherman's Memorial State Park, Misquamicut State Beach, East State Beach, Goddard Park, Burlingame State Park, and Charlestown Breachway. Work sites have since expanded to include Westerly Town Beach, Winnapaug Pond (Westerly), the East Bay Bike Path, and Colt State Park. With the new round of funding, work will also be expanded to include Brenton Point State Park and Fort Adams State Park.

On November 6, 2012, the National Emergency Grant was approved, with $500,000 released initially, to assist with the clean-up and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. The incremental funding announced today will bring the total NEG funds awarded for this project to $1,000,000.